Fallen Marine's family respectfully requests that only family and friends attend Monday's funeral

Sunday

Dec 22, 2013 at 12:01 AMDec 22, 2013 at 10:31 AM

The family of U.S. Marine Lance Corporal Matthew Rodriguez is respectfully requesting that attendance at Monday's funeral mass be limited to family and close friends, due to the building's capacity.

The family of U.S. Marine Lance Corporal Matthew Rodriguez is respectfully requesting that attendance at Monday's funeral mass be limited to family and close friends, due to the building's capacity.

Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Monday morning at the First Congregational Church, located at 34 Center St. in Fairhaven.

The family released this statement to The Standard-Times Saturday night: "The sheer magnitude of people who have shown their love and support for Matthew and our family has been amazing. Unfortunately, due to the size of our church we are limiting seating to immediate friends and family at the funeral service. However, if anyone would like to pay their final respects to Matthew during the funeral procession, Washington Street from Tripp Street to Route 6, as well as Route 6 from Washington Street to Route 240 will be open."

The family also suggests that folks wanting to honor Rodriguez's memory could: "1. Send a care package or letter to the 1st Combat Engineer Batallion; 2. Visit a vet and offer him your thanks; 3. Go to your local VFW and toast to Matthew; 4. Make a donation to the Wounded Warrior Project. 5. Bring a child to the Matthew Rodriguez Memorial Playground at the Greater New Bedford Regional Airport and watch them laugh and play."

The statement concludes: "Once again, our family thanks you for the overwhelming love you have shown to us and our Matthew."

Fairhaven police will have Center Street shut down from Main Street to Green Street beginning at 9 a.m. Funeral parking only will be permitted in this area for the duration of the service. William Street will also be shut down from Washington Street to

Center Street, with the same restriction.

There will be six SRTA buses available for anyone wishing to attend the graveside service at the National Cemetery in Bourne. Buses will be parked in front of the Millicent Library on Center Street and will offer a free shuttle service to and from the cemetery for everyone wishing to attend. After the graveside service, buses will return to the library where passengers will disembark to return to their vehicles. Everyone is asked to find a space to legally park their vehicle and walk to the church.

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